around the Island and back again...

Two weeks ago I watched my family walk through the airport security doors toward me, which now ranks among one of the happiest moments of my life! I had missed them so much and I was so excited for them to experience the life I am now living! After hugs and smiles, they wiped the sweat off their foreheads and asked where they could find an AC....ha ha (it’s the cool season in St. Lucia right now.)

MONDAY-
Recovering from JETLAG, means we all got to sleep in a little, get settled in, buy some groceries, and then it was off to explore! We picked Brandon up from school after his tests, piled into my new (OLD) Mit SUV, and headed towards the town of Souferie. Not sure what we were going to find, we headed down a interesting side road, which put the Jackson Hole hill climbs to shame. We happened upon a waterfall hike to some mineral pools.

After the hike we drove into the town of Souferie, where we were quickly and unfortunately conned by the locals trying to get our money. We gave money to the black boys doing flippys off the doc, we bought necklaces for WAY too much, paid a guy who wouldn't take his arm out of the window of the car, we even paid a guy who drug us through town and took us to a horrible restaurant. As fun as it was, 6 white people walking around this town need to all practice saying the word "NO" before they step out of the car! Love the town, but at that point in time, not the people!

TUESDAY-

We again decided to face the insanely NARROW 2 way streets (the truck to the left of us is parked, and we have the van headed towards us that should be on the right of us...aye aye yei!), and the aggressive, cunning, begging locals of Souferie, this time practicing our "NO" skills all the way. Prepared as we were, we were once again taken, by King Nigel for Souferie himself, paying way too much for necklaces

 

We escaped the town and headed up a very steep, mountainous road that led us to our soon to be favorite spot on the island. Ana Chastnet, which is ranked in the top 10 scuba diving places in the world, not to mention the BEAUTIFUL beach, the AMAZING view, and the small amount of people. We snorkeled all afternoon and soaked up some Caribbean rays.

WEDNESDAY-

We got ourselves into a muddy mess, literally! We visited a volcano on the island, which smelled like stinky sulfur, where steam boiled out of the ground, and the boiling water was muddy gray. Yellowstone put this baby volcano to shame, but the MUD bath we took at the end, was something you don't find at home. We covered our bodies with hot, stinky, minerally mud and bathed in a HOT mud pot...our skin felt delightful after

 

We finished the day off, with a BEAUTIFUL hike through the jungle, across a creek, up to some warm baths...but we actually enjoyed the cold creek the most!

 

THURSDAY-

My family got a small taste of living in an under developed country. We went down town Vieux Fort, to the market and the bakery. 3 things we take for granted in America, Wal-Mart, garbage men, and animal control!

We then went to sandy beach, where we rented kayaks and the boys went CLEAR to the Island. We built a sand castle and fed my favorite local stray dogs milk bones from home, and gave them each a name.

 

 

 

 

My Branch Pres, who is a avid fisherman, and his wife and two girls met up with us in the evening and took us fishing. We caught a SHARK and a MAU MAU!

 

 

 

FRIDAY-

Bright an early we left the house and drove to the one of the most photographed places on St. Lucia. Our objective…summit the 2600 ft tall mountain. The GROS PITON, the second tallest mountain on St. Lucia.

Though 2600 ft does not sound tall...it was not an easy hike at all!

I thought I might die...when we were not that high!

Stopping to ask for directions along the way, we found our guide "Ashley", who jumped in with us, headed us down a road I would worry about taking a 4-wheeler down at home, and stopped us at our trail head, found on a beautiful beach. If you can imagine climbing 2000 steep, deep stairs, you will know why we were drenched in sweat from head to toe...but the view was AMAZING!

 

 

 

 

SATURDAY-

Brandon finally had a day off, it completed the day having him there with us! I love bananas, coconuts, and grapes...that’s why they call me Tarzan of the apes!!  We started the day off flying through the jungle on a 8 line zip line course.

 

 

 

We then made our way into the Souferie and back to our favorite place on the Island. This time, after about a 1/2 mile walk we found our own almost private beach, all inclusive with some of the world’s best snorkeling, a black sand beach, and one of the most breath taking views I have ever seen. If you were to close your eyes and imagine paradise....you would be right where we were!

 

 

 

SUNDAY-

One of the highlights of the trip! Church! Unfortunately fishing with the Branch Pres earlier in the week came with a price...ha ha, and my family was asked to bear there testimonies, Jill was asked to play the piano, and Dallin was asked to pass the sacrament. Their attendance at church, almost DOUBLED our congregation, which I loved as well as the members I am sure! Testimonies are such a simple thing, but the spirit at church was incredible and I felt very blessed to be to able to hear from EVERYONE in my family. Especially Elder Dallin Polson, who's farewell I knew I wouldn't be able to attend...I'm sure the spirit touched more than just my heart that day.

We finished off the afternoon taking family pictures on the shores of St. Lucia, honestly, who gets the opportunity to do that, such a beautiful backdrop!

 

 

 

 

MONDAY-

Around the island and back again....IN THE RAIN. We finally got to experience a tropical shower! Unfortunately the rain and the overcast skies clouded our view, but the drive was still beautiful. Up steep windy mountain roads, along beautiful blue coast lines, across rolling hills of banana plantations, and through small fishing towns we went...laughing all the way! Stopping here and there to buy some local goods, a LARGE cantaloupe sized avocado, coconut necklaces, banana ketchup, and carved wood pieces. We finally made it to Castries the city up north, where we went to the market, got local fish n chips, and found a magnificent thing…Mega J, similar to what we call at home, Sam's Club, full of American things that I had not seen for over 2 months now. Life just got a little bit easier.

 

TUESDAY-

We went down to sandy beach to see about kite boarding. To our dismay, it was going to take way too much time and way too much money, so instead we watched for awhile.

The rest of the day we put the boys to good use, working on the car which only got worse. Hours after checking the brakes, filling the spare, and rotating the tires, the right front brake rotor split and car had to really get fixed. We did not let that stop us...bright and early on Wednesday we found a rental!

WEDNESDAY-

Again we packed up the car and headed out of town, this time our destination...Diamond Falls, surrounded by a botanical garden, full of incredible, strange, gigantic, foreign flowers and amazing green foliage, and too many people. So many exotic and amazing plants and flowers to see! Don't get me wrong it was beautiful, but over crowded.

 

 

 

After going for a small drive, we stopped at what is known as one of the best local restaurants in Souferie, Gees Bonmanje. The food was good, but the atmosphere and the view was that much better! Local favorites consists of fish (shark, tuna, red snapper, anything really), baked macaroni and cheese, green fig salad (made with green bananas and sword fish), dasheen and breadfruit (similar to a potato), plantains, and chicken.

THURSDAY-

We headed up north to go to Rodney Bay, the hot spot for all the tourist and cruise ships. We had a mission in mind though, PARASAILING! Mission accomplished...the overcrowded, resort lined beach, was just the place to find what we were looking for! The view from above was spectacular and the experience was worth every penny.

 

 

After leaving the beach we found a local place to eat, called the Lime. The food was spectacular! Unfortunately we realized too late that my mom had left her camera, filled with pictures from the trip and the last 4 months on it, in the bathroom at the resort where we had parasailed. We rushed back, but it was long gone by the time we got there...which put a damper on the day...

Nonetheless, we moved on and visited Pigeon Island. What once was an island; they filled in the gap and is now a peninsula, that has cool old British forts and a little island history. 

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY-

We spent the day enjoying the beautiful blue water, the bright Caribbean sun, and the sand in our toes. A little taste of the island way, nowhere to go, no rush, no hurry, do what you want kind of attitude....my kind of day. After playing in the water, burying Dallin up to his neck in the sand, and lying around, we headed home. We cleaned up, and headed over to Pres and Sister Nicholas where we were fed a gourmet meal of Stingray and Shark! Delicious!

 

 

SATURDAY-

First thing we went down to the market, to check out what kinds of fresh fruits and veggies we could find. We ran some errands and my family made their final purchases.

We then took one last drive to the town of Micoud, and found a place called Lattile Falls. We were led down a small hike where we found several sets of waterfalls, and a rope swing at the end out into the water.

 

 

 

In the evening we drove down to Sandy beach, and met up with the Sister Weaver and Sister Udall (the two biggest blessings in my life here on the island.) We had dinner at a restaurant called the Reef.

SUNDAY-

The day I had dreaded for 2 weeks. After church, my family packed up and I took them to the airport. The only thing positive about them going home was...I knew Bailey would be one happy dog to have them back, jealous!

Saying good bye is always HARD, but I knew I had to be greatful for the two weeks that I was able to share with them. Home is only a phone call away and a plane ride for that matter. Saying goodbye to your favorite brother for 2 years, the HARDEST, but the knowledge I have of the gospel and my testimony of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ makes saying goodbye that much easier. I know that many will be blessed by his sacrifice, hard work, and testimony....and that makes it all worth it! I think of the blessing the Sisters here on St Lucia have been in my life, and I know that someone in Italy will be just as grateful if not more for Elder Polson. LOVE YOU!